Largest Passivhaus affordable housing scheme in the North West completes Greenhaus – the largest Passivhaus Classic Certified development in the North West – has completed, bringing 96 highly-sustainable, affordable homes to Chapel Street in Salford. The monthly cost of heating and hot water at Greenhaus is expected to be less
Ford’s iconic stamping plant factory in Dagenham, East London, which gained fame through the historic equal pay strikes depicted in the film “Made in Dagenham,” is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The 45-acre site, once a key part of the powerhouse of East End industry where nearly 11 million Ford
Cancellation of over 200 repair jobs from initial industrial action set to worsen as more strikes set Pay strikes by London Sanctuary Housing repair workers are to intensify, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said yesterday. Three days of strike action in late February and early March led to more than 200 repair jobs on Sanctuary Housing’s
One Vision Housing celebrates success as Conway Point development in Birkenhead receives high commendation at the YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards. Located just a two-minute walk from Birkenhead town centre, the development is home to 46 Rent to Buy apartments that have created opportunities for local people to get
Affordable housing specialist, Living Space has received full planning approval and completed on the land sale for its largest scheme to date. In partnership with social housing provider, Stonewater, the approved vision will see 6.7 acres of complex brownfield land transformed into a mixed-tenure, 79-home community just outside of Worcester.
Construction of the largest Passivhaus affordable housing scheme in the north west is nearing completion. The finishing touches are now being made at Greenhaus – a highly sustainable development of 96 homes, which is being built on Chapel Street in Salford, opposite Salford Cathedral. The first residents are expected to
As National Apprenticeship Week unfolds from February 5th to 11th, Platform Housing Group shares the impact of its apprenticeship programmes, highlighting the transformative journey of apprentices who are not just participants but drivers of success within the organisation. With a current cohort of 76 apprentices, forming 4.56% of Platform’s dynamic
Work is underway to deliver Amethyst Homes second development in Newcastle city centre, following the success of its previous development located at Northbourne Street, for Home Group, five years ago. The joint development, in partnership with Bellway, will create 124 new homes, 45 built by Amethyst, comprising two, three and
Work will shortly begin to deliver hundreds of affordable homes, retail spaces and community facilities across Blackbird Leys, now formal planning permission has been granted by Oxford City Council. The council’s planning committee approved plans to carry out the transformational redevelopment in August, following more than four years of engagement
Platform Housing Group, the largest social landlord in the Midlands, have announced they will be part of this year’s UK Real Estate, Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in May. The housing association is hosting a discussion on redefining partnership working and how it can help solve the housing crisis on
Largest Passivhaus affordable housing scheme in the North West completes Greenhaus – the largest Passivhaus Classic Certified development in the North West – has completed, bringing 96 highly-sustainable, affordable homes to Chapel Street in Salford. The monthly cost of heating and hot water at Greenhaus is expected to be less than half that of a similar sized new-build home with a gas boiler. Built to Passivhaus Classic certified standard, the leading low-energy design standard, the nine-storey development provides homes which offer high thermal comfort and improved air quality, enabling a healthier living environment as well as lower bills. Bridging a gap in the housing sector for affordable, high specification living, Greenhaus has been delivered by ECF – a joint venture between three of the UK’s leading regeneration and investment organisations, Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse – alongside Salford housing association, Salix Homes, and supported by Salford City Council. Greenhaus is part of ECF’s £1bn, 50-acre Salford Central transformation being delivered in partnership with Salford City Council and takes the overall percentage of affordable homes delivered by ECF to 25% across the Chapel Street area of the masterplan. Following Greenhaus’ success, work is soon to start on a second Passivhaus development on nearby Peru Street, which will deliver a further 100 affordable and highly sustainable apartments. Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett was at the official launch of Greenhaus (on Monday 18 March) where he hailed the development as “the benchmark” for new-build, affordable, and sustainable homes and commented: “We continue to be immensely proud of the innovation and drive to deliver forward thinking, sustainable developments in Salford – testament to the culture our city fosters and shares with our broader region. The regeneration of Salford is burgeoning and our future looking brighter and greener with each and every milestone we reach. We also work to ensure that local people can benefit for the growth and development that is taking place here – creating new jobs and opportunities for all.” The first residents have begun moving into Greenhaus this week, including mature student Harriette Matthews. The 29-year-old, who is studying to be a counsellor, has been staying on her dad’s sofa in his one-bedroom flat for the past seven months, following a relationship breakdown. Harriette has autism and is a sufferer of scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine, and her difficult living conditions have been affecting both her physical and mental health. Allocated one of the 13 apartments available for affordable rent[1] at Greenhaus, Harriette says moving into Greenhaus will transform her life: “I just can’t put into words how much of a difference having my own home will make to my life. When I got the call from my housing officer at Salix Homes to say I had a place at Greenhaus, I just couldn’t believe it – I feel so lucky.” And the building’s eco-credentials are the icing on the cake for Harriette: “I know all about Passivhaus as I’d seen it on Grand Designs, and I always said to myself that when I get my own place, I want it to be Passivhaus, and now I’m living in one – it couldn’t be more perfect. I grew up around Manchester, but my dad is a born and bred Salfordian, so Salford has a special place in my heart.” Salix Homes secured funding from NatWest, along with grants from Homes England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to help fund the multi-million-pound scheme, which supports the GMCA’s ambitions for more truly affordable net zero homes. Sue Sutton, Chief Executive at Salix Homes, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome the first residents to Greenhaus, and see our vision for high quality, affordable and sustainable housing brought to life. “With the rising cost of living, a shortage in the supply of affordable and social housing, and a need to address the challenges posed by the climate crisis, Greenhaus demonstrates what can be achieved through effective partnership working, and a shared desire to create cleaner, greener, and healthier homes that are fit for the future and won’t need retrofitting. “To help use the development’s green credentials effectively, Salix Homes will also be embarking on a careful education and monitoring process, supporting residents to get the most of out of their new homes. We’ll be monitoring the air quality and energy usage, so we can track the long-term benefits and identify lessons learned for future developments.” Commenting on the completion of this ground-breaking development, Simon Hourihan, Project Director at Muse, said: “It is a wonderful moment to see residents moving into Greenhaus; a development that shows what can be achieved through collaboration on a shared vision and a real desire to deliver something pioneering rather than simply maintaining the status quo. “Our learnings from Greenhaus can also be shared for future developments which will help to shape other sustainable schemes for the benefit of people and the environment. We’ve loved the challenge of delivering the largest Passivhaus scheme of its kind in the North West and can’t wait to see the positive impact this scheme has on its residents.” Danielle Gillespie, Director of Regeneration, Partnerships and Major Projects, Homes England, commented: “The completion of Greenhaus in Salford, delivered by the English Cities Fund, is a significant achievement. The creation of new affordable, sustainable, and high specification homes contributes to a wider ambition to create healthy living environments which serve the needs and desires of local communities.” Wes Erlam, Managing Director of Urban Regeneration, Legal & General Capital, added: “Social and environmental benefits don’t have to be add-ons to investments: it is possible to pursue and create opportunities that generate long-term, secure income streams whilst also tackling some of the major social, environmental and economic issues facing society. Both the Greenhaus development and ECF’s wider partnership with Salford City Council underscore the many benefits that come from collaboration between investors, developers, and the public sector, and we’re proud to be delivering positive place-based impacts for Salford now and for the long-term.”
Ford’s iconic stamping plant factory in Dagenham, East London, which gained fame through the historic equal pay strikes depicted in the film “Made in Dagenham,” is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The 45-acre site, once a key part of the powerhouse of East End industry where nearly 11 million Ford cars were manufactured, will soon be home to a dynamic new neighbourhood with thousands of much-needed homes and amenities, including a new urban park. Ford’s stamping plant, which closed in 2013, was the site of the pivotal 1968 strike led by female sewing machinists, who were advocating for equal pay for comparable work. Their courageous stand ultimately paved the way for the Equal Pay Act in 1970. Dagenham, with a heritage dating back 4,000 years, has witnessed a remarkable transformation from a historic barrier along the Thames to the site of Europe’s largest car plant. Notable for its history as a hub of industry and commerce, it once hosted a timber dock and shipping company. In 2021, the Mayor of London provided a £80m grant from the Mayor’s Affordable Housing Programme to enable Peabody to acquire the site. The Hill Group then entered a joint venture with Peabody to deliver the development of the first phase, with construction getting underway in March 2023. The shared vision is to redefine the landscape of East London once again and bring new life to the area over the next decade. Spanning multiple phases, the ambitious project aims to deliver more than 3,500 homes, with 1,640 set to be affordable for local residents. Once complete, Dagenham Green will also boast 10 acres of expansive parks and play spaces. Phase one, which constitutes just over a quarter of the total homes, will see the construction of 935 homes, 35 percent of which will be affordable. Situated in the south-west corner of the site, adjacent to Dagenham Dock railway station, it will serve as the gateway to the broader masterplan area, which received outline planning approval in March 2022 following extensive consultation with the community. Drawing inspiration from the marshland, a key feature of phase one will be the first section of a new five-acre urban park complete with a large pond, children’s play areas, and a heritage trail commemorating the legacy of the Dagenham women who championed equal pay rights in the 1960s. There will also be a market square linking Dagenham Green to the nearby railway station, fostering connectivity and a strong sense of community. Phase one will also incorporate more than 1,600 square metres of non-residential space, for commercial, social, and leisure activities. The first residents are expected to move in from the summer of 2025. The project also prioritises sustainability, with plans for biodiverse green spaces and an air-source heat pump energy centre for the production of low-carbon energy. During construction, the partners are committed to providing 48 apprenticeship opportunities and employing 25 percent of the workforce from the local area, with extensive training programmes offered to participants. Peabody and its partners, including Hill, the Greater London Authority (GLA), Barking and Dagenham Council, and Be First Regeneration Ltd came together on Thursday 22 February to see how the redevelopment is progressing. Philip Jenkins, Executive Director of Development at Peabody, said: “At a time when all development is challenging, it’s always exciting to see tower cranes at work and construction progressing so rapidly. With thousands of much-needed new homes and facilities on their way for Dagenham, the development promises to be a landmark project, blending modern amenities with features that celebrate the area’s rich heritage. From its industrial heyday to becoming a symbol of progress in the fight for equal pay, Dagenham Green will create a vibrant new neighbourhood, and we look forward to welcoming new residents from 2025.” Andy Fancy, Managing Director at The Hill Group, said: “It is truly inspiring to gather here alongside Peabody, esteemed council members, and representatives from the GLA, to celebrate the remarkable strides achieved here in Dagenham. The realisation of a project of this magnitude takes years of meticulous planning and collaboration with partners and stakeholders. This collective effort is instrumental in the continual growth and success of this exciting new community.” Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader of the Council, said: “We’re proud of our history in Barking and Dagenham and I’m pleased that this nationally important site, where women fought for equal rights in 1968 and 1984, will once again play a key part in our community – providing new, safe homes for residents. “I’m glad to be working with Peabody on this project and I think it’s fantastic that they’re not just focusing on homes but also on creating green spaces and a market for the community to come together and enjoy. “And not only that, with a large proportion of the workforce coming from B&D and dozens of apprenticeships being created for local people this project will be a huge boost to the borough as a whole.” The Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, said: “I’m delighted that Dagenham’s famous Ford factory is being revamped to deliver over 3,500 high-quality new homes, with nearly half of these set to be genuinely affordable for local residents. “This promises to be a truly impressive development utilising the very best in modern architecture and design, whilst maintaining the unique heritage and character of the local area. The green spaces and parks, fantastic new amenities and community spaces, job and apprenticeship opportunities, and excellent transport links on offer will have huge benefits for the local community – helping to build a fairer, greener, more prosperous London for all.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cancellation of over 200 repair jobs from initial industrial action set to worsen as more strikes set Pay strikes by London Sanctuary Housing repair workers are to intensify, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said yesterday. Three days of strike action in late February and early March led to more than 200 repair jobs on Sanctuary Housing’s stock in London being cancelled, Unite understands. A further five days of strike action in March will cause increased delays to Sanctuary’s repair schedule. Around 50 repair workers, who are based in Hackney but carry out repairs across London, are striking over a four per cent pay rise imposed in 2023. This was a significant pay cut, as the real rate of inflation, RPI, at the time was 11.4 per cent. Meanwhile, Sanctuary Housing revenues for last year stood at £943 million, with its surplus increasing by 73 per cent to £101.3 million. Sanctuary Housing’s CEO, Craig Moule, is paid £380,000 a year. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Sanctuary effectively slashed the wages of its workers in one of the most expensive cities on earth during the worst cost of living crisis in living memory. Making matters worse, Sanctuary is refusing to even speak to the workers’ union, Unite. “It is disgusting that an organisation with such a massive surplus and that pays its chief executive such a huge salary treats its workers in this way. Our members are absolutely right to strike and they have Unite’s complete backing for as long as it takes.” Adding to tensions, is the fact that Sanctuary Housing has completely ignored the workers’ requests for their union, Unite, to be recognised and has locked them out of collective pay negotiations. Currently, Sanctuary Housing does not engage in pay negotiations with any union. The workers will strike again on 20, 21, 22, 25 and 26 March. Industrial action will further escalate if the dispute is not resolved. The strikes will impact scheduled and emergency repairs to Sanctuary Housing’s stock in London. Unite regional officer Matt Freeman said: “Sanctuary has needlessly escalated this dispute and caused disruption to its tenants by its appalling behaviour towards these workers. Our members’ resolve is rock solid – Sanctuary cannot keep burying its head in the sand. It needs to enter negotiations with Unite and put forward an acceptable offer.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One Vision Housing celebrates success as Conway Point development in Birkenhead receives high commendation at the YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards. Located just a two-minute walk from Birkenhead town centre, the development is home to 46 Rent to Buy apartments that have created opportunities for local people to get onto the property ladder. The YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards’ judging panel said: “We are pleased to recognise Conway Point as highly commended in the Best Affordable Housing Scheme category.” “One Vision Housing’s commitment to a fabric-first approach with this development displays a progressive strategy which prioritises sustainability and energy efficiency. The scheme also helps to address a very pressing need for affordable housing solutions in the local area, offering residents an opportunity to secure a place in the community they call home.” they added. One Vision Housing provides over 13.6k homes across the North West and as part of The Sovini Group, is delivering over 1,000 high quality affordable homes across the next five years through its integrated supply chain. Built on brownfield land by Sovini Construction, Conway Point was designed with modern living in mind by Condy Lofthouse Architects and was constructed using a ‘fabric first’ approach that focuses on the reduction of energy consumption, through thermal efficiency and running costs. Apartments all feature environmentally efficient specifications, supplied by local independent building merchant, Sovini Trade Supplies, including toilets, taps, showers, and light fittings, contributing towards the Group’s net-zero carbon commitment. Ian Mitchell, Managing Director of Housing at The Sovini Group said: “Our Conway Point development has delivered our [The Sovini] Group’s vision of a better future, as we created opportunities and changed lives by helping local people take their first step into home ownership. We are grateful to the judges for recognising this impact and look forward to seeing our customers thrive in their homes for years to come.” In addition to delivering 46 new affordable homes, The Conway Point development generated £2.3m in social value, £1.2m in economic value and £70k in environmental value. James Flannery, Director of Construction and Land said: “We are thrilled that our Conway Point development has been highly commended at the YM Liverpool Property and Business Awards for its energy efficient design, as we continue to embrace renewable technologies with an environmentally friendly approach to construction.” “Building a better future for One Vision Housing’s customers by creating sustainable social impact and transforming local communities has and will continue to be central to all our operations.” he added. To learn more about The Sovini Group’s integrated supply chain, please visit sovini.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Affordable housing specialist, Living Space has received full planning approval and completed on the land sale for its largest scheme to date. In partnership with social housing provider, Stonewater, the approved vision will see 6.7 acres of complex brownfield land transformed into a mixed-tenure, 79-home community just outside of Worcester. Located within the Worcester South Urban Extension area, the approved mixed-tenure development is designed to meet the growing need for affordable housing within the burgeoning cathedral city. The scheme will deliver a mix of property types catering to single occupiers, couples and families – with homes ranging between two-storey terraces and two- three- and four-bedroom semi-detached houses. One and two-bedroom apartments will also be introduced within three-storey units. Access to green space has been a key consideration in the design of the development. Each house will have a secure rear garden and all residents will benefit from the site being enclosed to the east and south by established trees and vegetation. Living Space’s plans also include provision for over 30% of the former brownfield plot to be transformed into Public Open Space – creating biodiversity net gains in excess of 20%. Sustainable urban drainage and new attractive landscape features will support invertebrates, insects, amphibians, birds and small mammals. Further enhancing the sustainability credentials of the development is a bus stop located opposite the site on Bath Road, with three routes to Upton-upon-Severn and Hanley Castle. A second bus stop is just a five-minute walk away – with regular services running to Worcester city centre. Paul Breen, Managing Director for Living Space Housing said: “This scheme marks our fourth project with Stonewater and follows on from our mutual successful developments in Malvern, Bromsgrove and Kidderminster. And, with 79 affordable homes, this project will become Living Space’s largest development to date. “As can be the case with brownfield sites, there are a number of technical complexities to overcome with this redevelopment, but these plans will ensure that we give this land a new lease of life. There is also a public right of way across the land that has been safeguarded, and the scenic riverside setting will be significantly enhanced for the benefit of the new neighbourhood, as well as the wider community.” Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (West and South) for Stonewater said: “There is a shortage of affordable homes in Worcester and the surrounding districts, so I’m delighted we are working once again with Living Space to provide high quality homes that will help to address the needs of local people in an area where the gap between incomes and house prices is considerable. “Upon completion, the homes at Bath Road will provide a sustainable and affordable option for families and individuals looking to rent, or take their first step on the property ladder, helping to meet the areas housing demands.” Works are expected to commence at the end of February 2024 with the first residents moving in by December 2024. Enabling works for the site will include the removal of abandoned buildings previous occupied by site’s former owner. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction of the largest Passivhaus affordable housing scheme in the north west is nearing completion. The finishing touches are now being made at Greenhaus – a highly sustainable development of 96 homes, which is being built on Chapel Street in Salford, opposite Salford Cathedral. The first residents are expected to start moving into Greenhaus this spring. The ground-breaking development is being delivered by The English Cities Fund (ECF) – a joint venture between nationwide placemaker, Muse, Legal & General and Homes England – alongside Salford housing association Salix Homes, and supported by Salford City Council. This week, delegates from the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC) paid a visit to Greenhaus, including leaders from housing associations across the north, to find out more about how sustainable and affordable homes can be delivered on a large scale. NHC Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said: “This is a fantastic example of green homes delivering real change in the north. Projects like this cut carbon, deliver lower bills and warmer, healthier homes, as well as creating good green jobs. This benefits residents, the economy, and the environment. We need an ambitious programme of investment from the government to build on this progress.” The nine-storey development has been built to Passivhaus Classic certified standard, which is the leading low-energy design standard. Passivhaus homes offer high thermal comfort and improved air quality, providing a healthier living environment and homes that are cheaper to heat and run. The sustainable features at Greenhaus include triple glazed windows, the latest insulation technology, improved ventilation and airtightness, air source heat pumps and publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points. The one and two-bedroom homes will be available in a mix of tenures including social rent, affordable rent and rent-to-buy. Sue Sutton, Chief Executive at Salix Homes, said: “Greenhaus is the first and largest development of its kind in the region, setting the benchmark for new-build, affordable and sustainable homes that are fit-for-the-future and support our carbon neutral ambitions. “We were pleased to welcome NHC members to see the development as it nears completion and share with them our experience of how truly sustainable and affordable homes can be built at scale to help tackle the housing crisis – delivering high quality, healthier homes that are better for residents and the environment.” Passivhaus homes offer a range of health benefits for residents. The airtightness, thermal comfort and improved ventilation help protect against airborne pollutants, reduce the risk of illness associated with living in cold homes, and minimise the risk of damp, mould and condensation. Simon Hourihan, Project Director at Muse, said: “Greenhaus is a true partnership project, setting the standard for affordable, sustainable housing in the region. “We’re extremely proud of the whole team, who have been learning together and overcoming challenges to deliver high quality, Passivhaus-certified homes on a large scale. We’re looking forward to completing and residents moving in later this year, and learning more about the positive impact that low-energy homes can have on people’s lives.” Greenhaus is part of ECF’s £1bn, 50-acre Salford Central transformation being delivered in partnership with Salford City Council, and will take the overall percentage of affordable homes delivered by ECF to 25% across the Chapel Street area of the masterplan. The homes are being built by lead contractor Eric Wright Construction and were designed by architect Buttress. Andy Avery, Director at Buttress added: “This milestone is a testament to the team’s vision and skill in designing and delivering innovative and sustainable housing solutions. Buttress’ commitment to Passivhaus design illustrates our dedication to environmental responsibility, creating aesthetically pleasing yet, healthier and affordable places to live for the people of Salford.” Salix Homes secured funding from NatWest, along with grants from Homes England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to help fund the multi-million-pound scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As National Apprenticeship Week unfolds from February 5th to 11th, Platform Housing Group shares the impact of its apprenticeship programmes, highlighting the transformative journey of apprentices who are not just participants but drivers of success within the organisation. With a current cohort of 76 apprentices, forming 4.56% of Platform’s dynamic workforce, these apprenticeships extend beyond traditional job training. They embody a commitment to unleashing potential and creating opportunities for all to ascend the career ladder. What sets Platform’s apprenticeships apart is their inclusivity. Among the 76 apprentices, 24 are existing colleagues who chose to strengthen their skills and knowledge. This commitment to continuous improvement not only benefits individuals but contributes significantly to the collective growth of the business. Platform recognises that career paths are unique, and apprenticeships shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. From entry-level (level 2) to advanced professional qualifications (level 7), these apprenticeship programmes ensure that the business is building a workforce that can deliver the skills needed now, and in years to come. Working with colleges and providers across the Midlands, Platform has an ambitious target of having 10% of the workforce studying for an apprenticeship by 2026. Dispelling stereotypes, apprenticeships at Platform are not confined to school leavers. A remarkable 61% of apprentices fall within the 20 to 29 age range, showing that apprenticeships are accessible and beneficial for those seeking to enhance their skills, regardless of prior experience or time since leaving formal education. Alice Sanders, a Category Specialist, and former apprentice, shares her success story. “After finishing university, I saw an apprenticeship opportunity within the newly established Procurement Department at Platform. With no prior experience in procurement, the apprenticeship offered me the chance to learn on the job while gaining the qualifications and experience necessary”. “Two and a half years on, my role has evolved and I’m now working as a Category Specialist having successfully completed my Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply. Platform has been supportive throughout and I’m looking forward to progressing my career here.” Find out more about Apprenticeships at Platform at https://www.platformhg.com/apprenticeships Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work is underway to deliver Amethyst Homes second development in Newcastle city centre, following the success of its previous development located at Northbourne Street, for Home Group, five years ago. The joint development, in partnership with Bellway, will create 124 new homes, 45 built by Amethyst, comprising two, three and four bedroomed houses. The project has been facilitated by Tynexe, a joint venture company comprising Newcastle City Council and Consett based Dysart Developments, which carried out the necessary reclamation works to prepare the land for development. Richard Bass, Managing Director at Amethyst Homes, said: “This is an exciting development for Amethyst, located just off Westmorland Road in the heart of Newcastle’s West end. “We are confident that this site will help address local housing need and will prove popular, due to its location and the variety of homes on offer. It is rewarding to see work finally starting on site, as it has taken a true partnership approach to unlock this brownfield land.” The properties at Amethyst Homes’ Vallum Heights will be built using modern methods of construction, with the use of timber frame, which is a first for Amethyst. Working in partnership with Aberdeen based, Kirkwood Timber Frame, this method of construction will enable each home’s structural frame to be erected on site within a day. In addition, benefits to the buyer include highly efficient insulation – in line with latest industry Building Regulations – and cost savings on energy bills. Andy Lewis, Business Development Manager at Kirkwood Timber Frame, added: “It is great to help Amethyst Homes deliver its first timber frame properties. The benefits are far reaching for the developer and the home buyer. “By using timber frame a housebuilder can reduce its carbon footprint by up to 40%* and it offers efficiencies during the construction process. For the homebuyer, timber frame offers a greater level of insulation. Timber is a natural thermal insulator stores and offers low energy consumption, which in turn saves homeowners money on their bills. “Scotland are leading the way in timber frame construction with over 90% of all new homes using this build method, far less in England with just 23% across the UK overall. It is great to see Amethyst embrace this technology, which we know is growing in popularity in the region.” The timber frame panels are made in Kirkwood’s state of the art manufacturing facility using the latest machinery in a semi-automated process. This means that external and internal walls are made to precision, reducing time and labour required on site. Whole houses are delivered to the site where a crane lifts the panels, floor and roof into place usually within a single day, allowing following on trades to complete the build in double quick time. 68 homes on the joint 12-acre site will be fitted with solar panels to generate renewable energy and further reduce carbon emissions. As part of the regeneration of the area over 25 jobs will be safeguarded and a new homes sales executive recruited. Through the lifetime of the project there will be investment in training and employment, parks and recreation and local community initiatives, which will include allotments and open space developed at the south of the site, next to Wolsingham Street. Among the new trees and shrubs will be butterfly bank features to encourage biodiversity in the area. For more information about Vallum Heights, please visit https://amethysthomes.co.uk/our-developments/future-developments/vallum-heights/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work will shortly begin to deliver hundreds of affordable homes, retail spaces and community facilities across Blackbird Leys, now formal planning permission has been granted by Oxford City Council. The council’s planning committee approved plans to carry out the transformational redevelopment in August, following more than four years of engagement with the Blackbird Leys community and more than 1,500 pieces of feedback from local residents and stakeholders. The plans by housing association Peabody (formerly Catalyst) and development partner Oxford City Council include 294 homes across two sites, which will help to tackle Oxford’s housing shortage. A new district centre will include 210 homes, 83 percent (174 homes) of which will be for social or affordable rent and 17 percent (36 homes) for shared ownership. A further 84 houses for shared ownership will be built at Knights Road. The district centre is also set to provide new high-quality facilities to support the Blackbird Leys community and others that live and work in the local area. This will include green spaces, shops and a community centre, as well as improved roads with a segregated cycle route. Beginning in April 2019, Peabody and Oxford City Council held more than 15 events for Blackbird Leys residents to feed into plans, engaging with the local community through door knocks, leaflet drops, webinars and in-person events. With planning permission secured and agreements now finalised, the project’s contractor Hill has begun preparation work on site, including putting up hoardings at the existing Community Centre and Evenlode Tower parking and garages. Demolition will begin shortly, with the old Community Centre expected to be taken down at the end of the month. Hill will be hosting a ‘Meet the Builder’ event on Wednesday 31 January for local residents to meet the construction team, learn more about the construction process and ask the project team questions. The drop-in session will take place in the hall of Church of The Holy Family in Cuddesdon Way from 3pm to 6pm. Peabody and the council have also been working with local communities since August to understand their views about the new Blackbird Leys Community Centre and the public space surrounding it, which will be delivered as part of the first phase of the redevelopment. Along with events, meetings and consultations, the Leys Community Review Panel – made up of local residents – has been set up to communicate the community’s needs to the design team. Planning consent for the Community Centre has been granted in ‘outline’, and there will be further opportunities for the community to influence plans until the submission of a detailed planning application in the spring. Peabody and Oxford City Council will soon set out further information about how local people can access opportunities to work on the Blackbird Leys redevelopment project, learn skills in construction, and get involved with artwork on construction hoarding. Simon Barry, Managing Director, Development at Peabody said: “We’ve come a long way since we first engaged with the community in 2019 about our proposals for Blackbird Leys, so I’m delighted to now see work beginning on site. This marks a critical step forward in our programme to rejuvenate this area with much-needed affordable homes and purpose-built high-quality public spaces. “The next stage is to finalise our plans for the Community Centre, and we’ve had brilliant conversations with local residents and organisations over the past few months – that’s thanks to the fantastic energy of this community. We’re looking forward to building on this as we move through the final design stage.” Councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing, Oxford City Council, said: “The start of construction work on site is a major milestone in the long history of this project. Some people believed we’d never get to this stage, and the current difficulties in construction and property development mean it’s taken more time and lots of hard work to get here. “I’d like to thank local people for bearing with us over the years as the scheme was paused and re-started and the vision for a new district centre for Blackbird Leys was developed. We now have work commencing on a scheme which will deliver nearly 300 much-needed new affordable homes, modern shops and a brand-new community centre, which will be a big boost for residents of Blackbird Leys.” Homes England played an important role in the funding of the Blackbird Leys project, with their housing grant and infrastructure funding supporting the delivery of the much-needed homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Platform Housing Group, the largest social landlord in the Midlands, have announced they will be part of this year’s UK Real Estate, Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in May. The housing association is hosting a discussion on redefining partnership working and how it can help solve the housing crisis on the opening day of the three-day event in Leeds, starting on May 21st. The forum is expected to attract over 10,000 developers, investors, occupiers and local authorities attending various sessions centred around the built environment. Executive Director of Growth and Development Gerraint Oakley will lead the discussion, alongside hand-picked guests to explore the issues surrounding the barriers currently experienced in development. Mr Oakley said, “We’re delighted to be returning to UKREiiF following the success of our participation in the 2023 event. Our partnership work is going to be crucial in succeeding in providing affordable housing in the next 12 months and beyond and the forum will be a key part of our engagement with the sector. All the indications are that there will be even more people attending and that can only mean more important conversations and ideas-sharing that will benefit the built environment.” Keith Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of UKREiiF, said: “We’re thrilled to announce that Platform Housing Group will be joining us at the third annual UKREiiF event! Their dedication to excellence in housing and community impact perfectly resonates with our ethos of fostering industry advancement and impactful partnerships. We eagerly anticipate their bespoke session, enriching our discussions and contributing to the event’s success.” Led by the UK’s leading property events company Built Environment Networking and supported by some of the biggest UK property and infrastructure companies, the third annual UKREiiF event will be held in Leeds on 21-23 May 2024. The forum will attract inward investment, generate economic growth, and drive a more sustainable and inclusive culture within the property and construction industries. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
